Tag: America

July 2, 1776

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. John Adams’ letter to Abigail Adams, July 2, 1776

Before America’s birth, John Adams predicted we would celebrate America’s independence.

Her birthday.

Fireworks, games, and parades.

From Maine to California.

Celebrating our Day of Deliverance by our solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

He knew it will be hard.

Birthing our country.

Separating ourselves from England’s tyranny.

Untold toil, blood, and treasure to spend.

But with those solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, he saw the End is more than worth all the Means.

He saw our country free, celebrating our freedom every year for generations.

America was birthed almost 250 years ago.

We’ve never been perfect, but we’ve tried to do our best.

We fought against ourselves for the end of slavery.

We’ve produced unending talent easing our modern selves with food, industry, and entertainment.

We’ve fought to protect innocent lives around the globe.

America’s story is a beacon of hope for the world.

More than merely a nation fighting for independence so many years ago.

America stands for freedom.

Freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

Freedom to say what we want.

Freedom to defend ourselves.

With hard work, we have endless opportunities in this great land of ours.

However…

Only with God’s sovereign help will even keep our country alive.

As our country was founded on the foundation of God, we must fight to keep Him firmly planted within our laws, actions, and words.

As the Israelites saw God’s provision, they would eventually forget, walking away from God.

Repeatedly, they would follow God, living within His blessings and protection.

And a few generations later, they would forget, falling down to worship false gods out of God’s protection.

As our country has systematically removed God from many avenues, may we repent for our actions.

May we seek God’s direction for our nation.

May we remind ourselves and our children how blessed we are to live in America.

And may we rise up as leaders to protect and defend our nation under God.

Photos by specphotops,  Luca R, Samuel Branch, Trent Yarnell, NASA, & Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash

John Adams letter: https://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17760703jasecond

Morality

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

What is morality?

Well, it’s when one is moral or has morals.

What’s the definition of morals?

Webster says “of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior- ethical.”

Makes perfect sense.

Especially when Webster continues: “conforming to a standard of right behavior or sanctioned by one’s conscience.”

So, morality has to do with right and wrong.

Knowing deep in your conscience the right and wrong ways to go.

Wait.

I thought our world no longer held the standard of absolute right and wrong, because God has essentially been removed from the public square.

Unfortunately, that’s true.

Our world has adopted moral relativism, meaning what is right for me might not be right for you.

They declare right and wrong are different for everyone, depending upon what they believe is right for them.

Think about voter fraud.

If you believe it’s right for your candidate to win, you’ll justify the fake votes, because that’s right for you.

Think about extended lockdowns.

If those in charge believes it is right to remove personal freedom for the good of the general public, then that is right for them.

Nothing will stop them as it’s right for them, even if it’s wrong according to the Constitution.

Think about politically correct speech.

If someone thinks it’s right for them to be whatever pronoun they desire, no matter their God-given gender, then it’s right in their mind, suddenly becoming wrong for you to object.

Think about abortion.

If someone thinks it’s right for them to kill their baby, they remove your right to protest as they deem you wrong.

When there is no standard of absolute right and wrong, societies always fail.

They crumble.

May God help us.

May God increase our strength and words, providing us His wisdom to stand up against the moral decline of America.

May He provide us avenues to stand up for His absolute truth, teaching our children to do the same.

May we not be afraid to speak up.

Oh, God, give us your strength to stop being silent.

Have mercy on our country.

You, God, are the Author of our liberty.

Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light.

Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!

Photos by Aaron Burden, Paul Weaver, Justin Casey, Luke Michael, & Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

So Over It

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Going out on a limb and stating my opinion.

Last time I checked, it was still a free country.

But it doesn’t seem like that anymore.

Sigh.

Attitude.

Specifically, my attitude.

I am in such a bad mood about our world.

If I even hear the word social distancing….

Don’t get me started about wearing a mask.

They are so hot and awful.

Went to Costco today donning my mask.

So weird to walk around and see EVERYONE in a mask.

I’m living on a movie set, but instead it’s real life.

I’d totally be on board with ALL of it, every restriction if I truly thought it would help.

If I thought it was really necessary.

But after reading so much over the past few weeks, it doesn’t add up.

It just doesn’t.

First, projections of death upwards of 240,000 were announced if we didn’t stay home.

We stayed home.

Of course.

Who wouldn’t with death predicted like that?!

As a result, we “flattened the curve”.

Ok.

Now what?

Did it work?

Yes, but now we’re told those original numbers were wrong.

Like way wrong.

No one knows what would have happened if we had ignored those first numbers and only stayed home if we were ill.

Or old or vulnerable.

Instead, we all obeyed and exponentially more lives have been drastically affected through staying home then death.

Our economy is now shot.

Kids are behind in school.

Parents are at their absolute wits end.

Small businesses are literally dying.

Family livelihoods have disappeared.

Mental depression is rising.

So is abuse of children.

Rights of Americans are ignored.

Fundamental rights.

And most of America is still acting like we need to stay home.

If science backed it up,

If common sense was used,

If all leaders would put the people first,

I’d feel better.

That brings me back to my attitude.

I really hate doing things I don’t think necessary.

I don’t do well just going along with the crowd if the crowd is blindly following the world.

I think people mean well.

Hopefully.

I always assume so anyway.

I guess my rant is over.

Pray for our leaders.

Pray for those affected physically, mentally, and financially.

And pray for our attitudes. 🙂

I want to go to church.

I want to try on clothing at Target.

I want to return groceries I deem not edible at the store.

I want to teach my students in my own classroom.

And I would like to shop without a mask.

I promise to stay home if I feel sick.

Ok?

Oh, and my husband really needs a haircut.

Photos by Tai’s Captures, Glen Carrie, BRUNO CERVERA, Matt Seymour, Hello I’m Nik 🎞 , & Tobias Rehbein on Unsplash

Greatness

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done. Psalm 78:4

amy-mecham-SVxsJ2vsvXE-unsplash

Greatness does not lay in the office one holds.

Greatness does not exist in the way a person looks or what one possesses.

Greatness pours from character.

Excellent character.

Character that produces servant leadership, stirring the will to follow, bringing others alongside.

juan-pablo-rodriguez-334216-unsplash

Greatness does not exist apart from God.

Apart from God, we are not great.

Humans can do good things, yes, but on our own strength, our good things fall flat.

Flat as a pancake.

Greatness lies within all of us.

It’s there, waiting for God to call it forth.

Sometimes, God calls it out of us, asking us to walk on higher ground.

To walk above it all, carrying others alongside.

In order to be used by God,

In order to be called into greatness, we must submit ourselves to Himself.

Submit ourselves to His will for us.

Not think of ourselves first and foremost.

amy-mecham-l1P-2hw1-vI-unsplash

Coming from DC last week, George Washington comes to mind.

His humble servant heart was called into greatness by God.

God used him to orchestrate our great country.

Think of the consequences if Washington had said no to God.

Had instead secured himself into the safety of Mt. Vernon.

What would our country be like today?

Would America even exist?

Submit yourself to God and see where He takes you.

Even if it’s influencing your immediate world, His greatness will be noticed.

The greatness God wants to call you into may or may not rise to the level of our founding fathers, Billy Graham, or Amy Carmichael.

But it just might.

Photos by AMY MECHAM on Unsplash